Organize language learning events/festivals

Mentor teacher Lisa Giblin at Winton Woods Intermediate School in Cincinnati, OH worked with TCLP Chinese teacher Gong Hongling on a Chinese New Year Festival and Chinese Language Club project. The Chinese Festival promoted many aspects of Chinese culture and language to the community, and included traditional games, dances, Chinese riddles, calligraphy practice, food sampling, and information about Chinese language education and opportunities. The Winton Woods community was invited to participate and over 200 students, parents, and community members attended.

Mentor teacher Claudine Clark at Madison East High School in Madison, WI organized an Arabic Language and Culture Fair with TCLP Arabic teacher Khaled Kenawi. The Fair, held during school hours, tried to recreate the atmosphere of a Middle Eastern marketplace. There were five areas with different interactive activities representing different aspects of Arabic culture: food, clothing, music and dance, culture and geography, and writing. Each area not only taught about culture, but also introduced some language and vocabulary.

• TCLP Arabic teacher Ibrahim Elkadi will design a project titled “Around the Arabic Nation in Two Days” with support from teachers and students at Scott’s Branch High School in Summerton, South Carolina. This two-day celebration will expose 300 high school students, 100 middle school students, 70 primary students, 6 administrators and 40 teachers to the diversity of 22 Arabic-speaking countries. Local groups and neighboring schools will also be invited to attend this unique event.

TCLP Chinese teacher Cao Yanna will organize project at Indian River Charter School in Vero Beach, Florida with the support of the Indian River students and faculty. This Spring Festival Event includes multiple components aimed at providing students with an opportunity to practice their Chinese skills in real-life language situations and share what they have learned with their families, teachers, and classmates while also exposing other community members to Chinese culture and increasing interest in the Chinese program at Indian River Charter School.

TCLP Egyptian exchange teacher Abla Rasslan was approved for a 3-part Arabic cultural project. The first part consisted of current H.L. Harshman Middle School students teaching other feeder school students about Arabic language and culture. The second part was the creation of an “Encyclopedia Arabia” in which 15 schools contributed projects for inclusion on topics ranging from tourist attractions, to the economy and government of the Arab world. The final part was a culminating Arabic fair, which showcased student work in Arabic class and a fashion show.

TCLP Egyptian exchange teacher Ahmed Mohamed at Renaissance High School was awarded a grant to shed the light on many aspects of the Arab language and culture though an Arabic Night. Current Arabic students gave participants an in-depth look at the Arab world through performances, songs, fashion shows, and games. In the audience were current 8th grade students who will be attending RHS next fall, as well as community members, school district officials, and current RHS students.

TCLP Chinese teacher Yao Xiaoning organized a three-part CLP for students at Correia Middle School. Part one was a visit to the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum to learn about Chinese history, appreciate some Chinese artwork and watch a calligraphy presentation. Part two was a May field trip to the Chinatown in Los Angeles, where students completed a scavenger hunt in a Chinese market, had lunch in a Chinese restaurant, and bought books in a bookstore using what they’ve learned from Chinese class. Part three was a Chinese Night activity.

TCLP Chinese teacher Li Fang was approved for a CLP grant to fund materials for a Spring Festival performance and a series of art workshops stretching from February into April 2011. The project, which was conducted by 80 Chinese students and 60 art students at Swain High School, presented a Spring Festival performance and six art workshops about traditional Chinese handicrafts to help teachers, students and parents in Swain County better understand Chinese culture.

Exchange teacher Wei Wei received a CLP grant to implement the Joy of Eight Project at her U.S. host school, Roton Middle School. The project encompassed various activities with the overall goal of motivating middle school students enrolled in Mandarin classes to continue to study the language after they enter high school.